These Side-by-Side Selfies Show How Arbitrary Clothing Sizes Really Are

Allure
Updated
Mira Hirsch Instagrammed photos of herself wearing what she said were the same size pants to show how arbitrary clothing sizes are.

While you may think you know your clothing size, you've probably noticed that an item from one brand can fit you completely differently than an item in the same size from another brand. (Sizing discrepancies can even occur in clothes from the same brand.) This week, one Instagrammer drove home how arbitrary sizing can be with side-by-side comparison shots she snapped in a dressing room.

Mira Hirsch, a South African body-positive Instagrammer, posted photos of herself wearing two different pairs of pants from the same clothing store with a powerful caption. She was unable to zip up one of the pairs, which was labeled "New Fit," while the other pair fit comfortably. "PSA: DO NOT DEFINE YOURSELF BY A NUMBER! THESE ARE BOTH EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE!" she wrote, noting that she used to dread the moment when something in "her" size was too small: "You look for something in your usual size, it doesn't fit and you end up leaving the store feeling so shitty about yourself. Letting diet culture kick in, and self loathing take over. I know I did."

She also expanded on some of her words of wisdom to Allure for dealing with stress about sizing. "My advice for anyone getting distressed about not fitting into a size is to tell yourselves that you are worthy and should not let a number define your self-worth," she says. "You have the power, not a silly little piece of stitching. Wear clothes that make you feel amazing and stop caring about the numbers on them! Focus on feeling amazing regardless of your size."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY-Fxt4jhIP/

In the comments, Hirsch's fans are praising her message and sharing their own sizing stories. "YESSS TO THIS POST!!!" one person wrote. "I have a pair of jeans from H&M that are a size 10, this year I went there and tried on that size...I couldn't even get them past my knees?!? Stores need to use consistent sizing for everyone." Another follower chimed in, "I was trying on jeans 2 days ago and one pair fit like hell and another the exact same size but with a higher cut fit like a dream. There's one store where I have like 10 pieces of clothing ALL. DIFFERENT. SIZES. Why tho."

This isn't the only body confidence issue Hirsch has tackled. She's also covered bloating and the importance of respecting women no matter how they choose to dress. "I hope to send the message across that you shouldn't try to fit into a category; make your own!" she tells Allure about her online presence. "I hope to get more people filled with self-love and acceptance and less self-loathing and doubt because insecurities stop people from being who they really were born to be."

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